Parent Zone

Our aim at St Thomas’s Centre is to ensure children understand how to stay safe and know how act responsibly when using technology and digital communication. By working with parents/carers together we can protect children when they are playing in a virtual world by understanding the risks involved and how to reduce them.

A recent anonymous survey revealed only 31% of parents/carers discuss Internet safety with their child and only 38% of parents/carers set Internet rules. In order to help parents/carers we have provided a range of resources below which offers information and guidance about the online world children play in and how to protect them.

The Digital Parenting magazine has up to date information about current online issues and where parents/carers can get help. It also has easy to follow, step by step instructions on how to set filters on search engines, set up smartphone controls and how to make social networking sites safer. The Good Online Gaming Guide also has step by step instructions on how to set security features on game consoles to restrict the type of games or the length of time games can be played. The YouTube clips below provide a realistic viewpoint on what it means to be an online parent and covers some of the topics parents should discuss with their children about the virtual world.

If you would like further help or advice about online safety please contact the school office to arrange a meeting with the Senior Online Safety Lead in which online safety advice and training will be given.

IF YOU HAVE CONCERNS OR EXPERIENCE ONLINE ABUSE REPORT IT TO CEOP.

Please click on the images below:

Digital Parenting Magazine

Digital Student Rules

Online Safety magazine

Good Gaming Guide (PEGI)

Data Protection Policy

St Thomas’s Online Safety Policy

Thinkuknow for Parents & Carers

Report Online Abuse (CEOP)

Educate against Hate

Nicky Morgan announced the launch of a new website designed to offer parents and teachers practical advice about extremism and radicalisation. It will include information on:

Is a national campaign to get parents and carers thinking and talking about the importance of discussing sex, relationships and the Internet with children. More information can be found on the parents section of the Thinkuknow website which provides information to support parents and carers to understand and respond to the risks children may face as they grow. It covers a broad range of online safety issues from nude selfies to what to do if you think your child is being groomed online. Find it at: www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents

Watch the campaign video ‘The world changes, but children don’t’ below:

CARRY OUT YOUR OWN RISK ASSESSMENT

ASK YOURSELF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

Does the site enable you to share not just images but likes or dislikes? If yes, then ask yourself:

What is my child sharing?

Who are they sharing with?

Remember:

Sharing is normal to young people.

Privacy settings can restrict users.

Young people should be aware of constantly reviewing their privacy settings.

Does the site enable you to make friends?

Does your child know who all their friends are?

Do they have 100’s of friends added who they don’t really know?

Does your child really know who they are sharing with?

Remember:

Young people qualify their popularity by the amount of online friends, who has the most likes?

Privacy settings can restrict users.

Read the article on thinkuknow website #instafamous

Does the site enable you to chat?

Does your child really know who they are talking to and what they are sharing with them?

Remember:

Some chat rooms can have sexualised conversations.

Predators stalk some chat room looking for victims, once contact is made they try to move the conversation to a more private setting e.g. messenger, BBN, Facebook.

Does the site enable you to play?

What are they playing?

Is it aimed at children or adults?

Who are they playing it with? Strangers, relatives, friends?

Remember:

Rockstar Games (makers of Grand Theft Auto) made more money last year than Hollywood took in sales from cinema tickets.

Gaming presents risks in terms content and contact. Child sex offenders will wait in new areas of a game, offer tips and trick in order to build a relationship with new gamers and then seek to move the conversation to a more private setting e.g. messenger.

PEGI age ratings, find out what is the age and the content of the game your child is playing.

Visit: Lee and Kim’s adventures resources for primary kids available on thinkuknow website.